Automatic lighter



March 30, 1948. v f BJROQBH 2,438,727"

AUTOMATIC LIGHTER Filed May 21, 1945 O 27 B a Anarnq:

the Wick.

y Still another object of the invention is the l provision of such a device which is sturdy and Patented Mar. 30, 1948 oFFICE av'rom'rro LIGHTER Bernard Troubh, Portland, Maine Application May 21, 1945, Serial No. 594,968

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an automatic lighter,

/ and more specifically to a lighter particularly adapted for use in lighting pipes, cigars, cigarettes or the like.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved cigarette lighter adapted to be actuated from a point remote from the flint and steel normally used for igniting such a device, whereby soiling of the fingers or gloves on the igniter wheel, the wick, or other moving parts, is precluded.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device particularly adapted to be actuated from a point at the opposite end thereof from the sparking mechanism.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device adapted to be operated I by a cam-surfaced actuator in such manner as to impart a snapaction to the ignition device to insure a relatively strong spark for igniting durable in construction, reliable and efllcient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and features of constructiomall as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and shown and in the accompanying drawing wherein there is disclosed a Y 2 Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an nd elevational view of the device shown in Figure 8, --as viewed.from the right.

Similar. reference characters refer to similar 1 parts throughout the several views-of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawing, the device of the instant invention includes a body portion generally indicated at Ill having a recess II therein forming a fuel reservoir in which is positioned a wick I2 extending upwardly through a suitable aperture 3 exteriorly of the body portion. The body is also provided with a bore l4 open at both extremities and adapted to carry at its upper extremity a flint l5 biased upwardly, as by a head It, having a lug I! thereon adapted to engage one end of a coil spring is, the opposite end of which engages on a lug l9 carried by a threaded member 20 adapted to q engage in the lower threaded extremity ofthe bore [4. The member 20 terminates in an enlarged portion 2| and ahead 22 having a groove 22' therein for the accommodation of a screw driver or the like.

The aperture 25 surrounds an extending portion preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially through the center line of the device, or along the line of Figure 2, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of Figure l, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the device, certain concealed parts thereof being indicated in dotted lines.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is asectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of a constructiona ofthe member 20 above the enlarged portion 2 I, whereby the portion 2|, by its abutment with the base 24, serves to hold the thimble and the body in related assembly.

A tripping knob 21 having a centrally disposed aperture 28 therein surrounds the enlarged portion 2| of the member 20 and is. provided with a recess 29 adapted to accommodate the head 22. A peripheral channel 30 extends interiorly of the tripping member 21 and is provided with a pair of cam-surfaces 3| oppositely disposed with respect to each other, the high portion of each cam member terminating in a substantially vertical drop adjacent which the low portion of the succeeding cam surface begins. Thus, it will be seen that the tripping member 21 is freely rotatable about the thimble 23, the enlarged portion 2| of the member 20 serving as an axis of rotation therefor, and the head 22 serving to hold the tripping member in related assembly with the body and the thimble.

A pin 35 extending through the aperture 26 extends upwardly into a bore 38 in the body Ill and is provided with a collar 31 adapted to engage in the end of a compression spring 38 the opposite end of which seats against the edge of a reduced portion 39 of the bore. The upper extremity of the pin 35 terminates in a threaded extremity 40 to which is threadedly'secured a tripping fork 4|. Thus, it will be seen that as the tripping knob 21 is rotated, the tripping pin 35 moves, upwardly along, the cam surfaces 3|, compressing the spring 38, and when the high portion of the cam surface is reached and passed, the pin is forced downwardly with a relatively snap action by the spring 38, which correspondingly moves the tripping fork downwardly with asnap action.' I

The tripping fork 4| is provided with a pair of transversely extending slots 42 adapted to have slidably positioned therein pins 43 carried by the extremities of a tripping yoke 44. As best shown in Figure 7, the tripping yoke 44 is provided with extending clasp members 45 adapted to be bent inwardly, as indicated at 4B in Figure 1, to engage a tripping yoke spring 41. v As best shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10, the trip- 'D n form and the upper extremities of the legs of the U are bent inwardly, as at 48. The inwardly turned portions 48 are adapted to engage ridges 49 cut into the side of a sparking wheel 50 mounted on a suitable axle journaled in suitable journals 52 in flanges on top of body I0. .The wheel 50 is serrated, as at 54 to provide a sparking surface adapted to be positioned adjacent the flint 15.

Now, from the foregoing, it will be seen that when the tripping fork is snapped downwardly in the manner previously described, the tripping ridges 49 to impart relative rotation to the wheel 50 causing a spark to ignite the wick", A cap,

- danger of soiling the fingers or the gloves on the working parts of the apparatus is substantially moving the member 20, the entire device may be disassembled for filling, replacing theflint, cleaning, or any other desired purpose.

Thus, in the foregoing there is provided a device which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A pocket lighter including a body, a fluid reservoir in said body. a flint and steel igniter ated with said reservoir and extending into proxyoke spring 41 is of substantially U'-shaped imity to said flint and steel, an axial, internally screw threaded bore in-said body. a second bore in said body, a flint and steel actuating rod being reciprocable in said second bore, a sleeve upon the other end of said body, said sleeve constitut- I ing a closure for said reservoir and having apertures aligned with said body bores, and a cover rotatably journaled on said sleeve, said cover having a cam groove for. reciprocating said rod and having an axial aperture, and a single fastening means extending through said cover, said sleeve and engaging said threaded bore.

2. A pocket lighter including a body, a fluid reservoir in said body, a flint and steel igniter secured upon one end of said body, a wick associated With'said reservoir and extending into proximity to said flint and steel, an axial internally screw threaded bore in said body, a second bore in said body, a flint and steel actuating rod being reciprocable in said second bore,

a sleeve upon the other end of-said body, said sleeve constituting. a closure for --said reservoir and having apertures aligned with said body bores, and a cover rotatably sleeve, said cover having a cam groove for reci-procating said rod and having an axial aperture, and a single fastening means extending through said cover, said sleeve and engaging said threaded bore, said fastening means securing said cover for free rotation thereon and fixedly curing said sleeve to said body.

' yoke and its associated spring engage with the i eliminated. It will further be' seen that by re- 3. A pocket lighter including a body, a fluid, reservoir in said body, a flint and steel igniter secured upon one end of said body} a wick associated with said reservoir and extending into proximity to said flint and steel, an axial, internally screw threaded bore in said body, a second bore in said body, a flint and steel actuating rod being reciprocable in said second bore, a'sleeve upon the other'end of said body, said sleeve constituting a closure for said reservoir and having apertures aligned with said body bores, and a cover rotatably journaled on said sleeve, said cover having a cam groove for re ciprocating said rod and having an axial aperture, and a single fastening means extending through said cover, said sleeve and engaging said threaded bore, Said flint and a tensioning means therefor being slidably disposed in said axial bore, said fastening means simultaneously engaging said tensioning means.

. BERNARD TROUBH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS l llrnaled on said 

